Automobile signal switch



Jan. 17, 1928.

S. M. GOLOMBOWSKI AUTOMOBILE SIGNAL SWITCH Filed Sept. 12, 1924 Patented Jan. 17, 19128.

UNITEDA STATES STANLEY M. GOLOMBOWSKI, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

AUTOMOBILE SIGNAL SWTCH.

Application led September 12, 1924. Serial 1t o. 731,385.

This invention relates to automobile signals. Y

Objects of this intention are to provide an automobile signal which is not complicated, which is extremely sensitive and will respond to any disturbance of the car afterv the signal has been set, which may be quickly set and unset by an authorized person, and which will respond to any jar of the car 16 either from starting the engine, bumping the car, stepping on the' running board or other slight disturbances of this type, and which, when disturbed, will continue to sound or actuate any type of signal.

Embodiments of the invention are shown .in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a vertical sectional View through one form of the device showing diagrammatically the connection to the signal @il battery and associated parts.

Figure 2 is a view corresponding to Figure 1 showing the device in operative p0sition.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view of the 25 lower portion of the device showing a moditied form.

Figurel 4 is a side elevation of the structure shown in Figure 3.

The device `comprises a metal casing 1 3@ having a top portion 2. This metal casing carries an insulating block 3 which is provided with a depressed cup shaped recess 4. The recess normally receives a steel ball 5, as shown in Figure 1 when the device is inoperative. This ball 'is adapted to be raised from the recess by means of a plunger 6 reciprocally mounted 4within the block 3 and projecting downwardly therefrom. The lower end of the plunger carries a transverse 4o pin 7 which fits within grooves 8 formed in supporting downwardly extending lugs 9. helical spring 10 loosely surrounds the plunger and urges it downwardly. The lower end of these lugs 9 support a short transverse shaft 11 havinga manipulating" lever 12. This shaft rigidly carries a cam 13 which is provided with a projecting portion having a flat face 14. Thus when the lever12 is rotated into the position shown in Figure 2, the plunger 6 is elevated and its lower end rests upon the flat face 14 of the cam.

Thel upper end of the plunger is provided immediately surrounding the cavity i in the insulatingbloclrs 3 a ring like slanting contact plate 16 is provided. This contact plate is provided with a projecting tongue which is connected by means of conductor 17 with a horn or other sounding or signal device 18. Tt is Ato be noted that the projecting tongue of the dished ring 16 extends through an aperture in the metal casing 2 and furnishes a ready means of connection to the horn. The other terminal of the signalling device beinggrounded, as shown. One of the supportingl lugs 9 is connected to one end of a battery 1.9, the other end of such battery being grounded as diagrammatically shown in Figure 1.

Tt is preferable to locate the signalling apparatus in a hidden portion of the car with the lever i12-hidden but within easy access of the driver. The horn and battery may be the usual horn and battery employed in the car or, if desired, a hidden horn and a hidden battery may be employed so that the entire system 'is hidden.

The operation of the apparatus is as iollows when the driver leaves his car he elevates the lever 12, as shown in Figure 2, thus setting the device. The slightest jar will cause the ball 5 to fall from the top of the plunger 6 and such ball will then rest, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 2, against the contact ring 16 and the plunger 6, thus completing the electrical circuit of the apparatus. lin fact from actualexperience it has been found that merely stepping upon the running board will serve to unseat the ball and sound the alarm. Further than this, the jar incident to starting the engine or moving the car will also unseat the ball. Further than this if the car is bumped by another vehicle, the ball is dislodged and the signal sounded. When the ball rests in the socket Il, as shown in Figure 1, any bouncing of the ball upwardly will not close the circuit for the reason that the ball cannot bridge the gap between the retracted plunger 6 and the contact ring 16.

ln the form shown in Figure 3, the same general construction is employed with the exception that the handle 12 and the shaft 11 is omitted. In place of this, the barrel 20 of a lock 21 forms the shaft for supporting and operating the camf13. This lock may be'controlled by means of a key carried by the driver and insertable in the keyhole 22 of the barrel 20, as shown in Figure 4.

Thus no one but an authorized person may set the device although he may know of the secret positioning thereof.

It will thus be seen that an extremelysensitive signal device has been provided which is very compact, which is easily hidden and mounted within an automobile, and which will respond to any disturbance and f will lcontinuously sound or give a signal until resetting by an authorized person.

Although the invention has been described j in considerable detail, it is to be understood that the invention may be variously embodied and is, therefore, to be limited only as claimed.

I claim:

An automobile signal comprising a casing,

an insulating block carried thereby and having a recess upon its upper side, a vball adapted to seat -within said recess under normal conditions, an annular slanting contact ring surrounding said recess and spaced therefrom a slight distance, said ring slanting I downwardly towards said recess, said casing being formed in two distinct portions carried and operated by said insulating block, one of said portions being. rigid with said .slanting ring, a plunger having a concave vupper end, said plunger slidably passing cam mounted between said supports 'and adapted to elevate said plunger, and key controlled locking means for operating said cam.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin.

' STANLEY lM. GOLOMBOWSKI. 

